FORMAN(ID:5538/for024)


for FORMal ANnotation Language

language for "building automatic debugging tools based on precise program execution behavior models that enable us to employ a systematic approach [...] program behavior models are based on events and event traces"

uses h-space (history space) to describe actions noticed by a monitor program


People:
Related languages
FORMAN => PARFORMAN   Extension of
FORMAN => UFO   Evolution of

References:
  • M. Auguston, "FORMAN -- A Program Formal Annotation Language" view details
          in Proceedings of the 5th Israel Conference on Computer Systems and Software Engineering, Gerclia, May 1991, IEEE Computer Society Press view details
  • M. Auguston, "Program Behavior Model Based on Event Grammar and its Application for Debugging Automation", in Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Automated and Algorithmic Debugging, Saint-Malo, France, May 1995. view details Abstract: The notion of event constitutes the basis of the target program
    behavior model. This model, called H-space (History-space), is formally defined through a set of axioms (event grammar) for two basic relations, which may hold between two arbitrary events: the events may be sequentially ordered or one of them might be included in
    another composite event. Target program execution history is represented as a set of nested events. A general paradigm of "computation over execution history" is suggested in this paper as a basis for debugging automation. A language to describe computations over execution histories of target programs provides means for assertion checking, debugging queries, profiles, and performance measurement. Event patterns and aggregate operations over event traces, can be used in order to describe typical bugs and debugging rules. The knowledge about typical bugs and debugging rules can be formalized in libraries of assertions and debugging rules and can be used for run-
          in Proceedings of the 5th Israel Conference on Computer Systems and Software Engineering, Gerclia, May 1991, IEEE Computer Society Press view details
  • Auguston, Mikhail "Building Program Behaviour Models" view details Abstract: This paper suggests an approach to the development
    of software testing and debugging automation tools based on
    precise program behavior models. The program behavior model is
    defined as a set of events (event trace) with two basic binary
    relations over events -- precedence and inclusion, and represents
    the temporal relationship between actions. A language for the
    computations over event traces is developed that provides a basis
    for assertion checking, debugging queries, execution profiles, and
    performance measurements.
    The approach is nondestructive, since assertion texts are
    separated from the target program source code and can be
    maintained independently. Assertions can capture both the
    dynamic properties of a particular target program and can
    formalize the general knowledge of typical bugs and debugging
    strategies. An event grammar provides a sound basis for assertion
    language implementation via target program automatic
    instrumentation. Event grammars may be designed for sequential
          in Proceedings of the 5th Israel Conference on Computer Systems and Software Engineering, Gerclia, May 1991, IEEE Computer Society Press view details
  • Auguston, Mikhail "Tools for Program Dynamic Analysis, Testing, and Debugging Based on Event Grammars" 1999 view details
          in Proceedings of the 5th Israel Conference on Computer Systems and Software Engineering, Gerclia, May 1991, IEEE Computer Society Press view details
  • Auguston, M. "Lightweight semantics models for program testing and debugging automation" pp23-31 view details
          in Proceedings of the 7th Monterey Workshop on "Modeling Software System Structures in a Fast Moving Scenario", Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, June 13-16, 2000 view details
  • Auguston, M; Jeffery, C; Underwood, S "A Monitoring Language for Run Time and Post-Mortem Behavior Analysis and Visualization" 14 Oct 2003 view details Abstract: UFO is a new implementation of FORMAN, a declarative monitoring language, in which rules are compiled into execution monitors that run on a virtual machine supported by the Alamo monitor architecture
          in Proceedings of the 7th Monterey Workshop on "Modeling Software System Structures in a Fast Moving Scenario", Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy, June 13-16, 2000 view details